The last time so many time-trial kilometers were featured was in 2007, when Spaniard Alberto Contador secured the second of his three victories by triumphing in the Lake Annecy time trial. During the reign of Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc, in the 1990s and first few years of 2000, it was routine to have over 100 km of time trials in the race.

In 1992, for example, emerging Spanish great Miguel Indurain got to showcase his formidable time trialling skills over 137 km, doing the most damage on the Luxembourg time trial held over 65 km. Time trialling became Indurain's trademark as he went on to join the elite club of five-time winners of the race, becoming the first rider to achieve the feat consecutively.

A list of the time-trial distances in the last 10 editions of the race:

2012: 96.1 km

2011: 42.5 km

2010: 60.9 km

2009: 56 km

2008: 82.5 km

2007: 117.4 km

2006: 116.1 km

2005: 74.5 km

2004: 77 km

2003: 102.5 km

2002: 109 km

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